This document provides information on alternative destinations to spend Carnival outside of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It suggests São Paulo, Brazil which has large carnival parades and club parties. It also mentions Recife, Brazil where carnival has more African influences seen in food, music and umbrella-dancing parades that start very early. Smaller destinations like Riobamba, Ecuador which has a water fight festival instead of parades, and Jericocoara and Florianópolis, Brazil which have more intimate village-style celebrations are also presented as options. Various accommodation and travel package pricing for each destination is listed.

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Carnival is wider than Rio of Time Out São Paulo, recommends the
We love Rio, we do: It’s such blocos, or street parade parties, Vai Quem
Qué and the Acadêmicos do Baixo
fun, especially at Carnival, which Augusta: ‘They’re not as packed as Rio’s
starts on Friday. But, before mega-blocos and they have a really nice,
shambolic style about them.’ She also
forking out for that room in suggests heading to São Paulo’s huge
Ipanema, here are some options carnival stadium, the Sambódromo, for ‘a
super-production that just rolls and rolls
past, through into the morning.’ You’re not
U São Paulo going to sleep but you might want to leave
Shock! Horror! That rumbling sound you your bags in your room at the artsy B&B,
can hear is the whole of Rio de Janeiro Paradiso Hostel.
stamping its feet in disgust that someone Dormitory beds at Paradiso Hostel from €22
suggested spending carnival in São Paulo. (www.paradisohostel.com). Flights from €616
But Rio’s southern neighbour is less with Air France (www.airfrance.com)
wrapped up in sultry samba clichés and a
bit more with it when it comes to clubbing; U Recife
hit up the one-off carnival parties at D- Unlike the south, Brazil’s northeast has a
edge, Love Story and Bar Secreto and much more African feel to it, which is
you’ll see why the world’s third-largest city reflected in its food, people and, of course,
rules the raving roost. For more traditional its carnival. In Recife, the capital of
carnival entertainment, Claire Rigby, editor Pernambuco state, you won’t find the
competition parades you’ll find in Rio and São
Education Paulo. Carnival here is about taking to the streets
alongside the local acrobatic, umbrella-wielding
DON’T MISS IRELAND’S
Actor training course frevo dancers. You’ll need a fancy-dress costume
and some stamina – Saturday’s Galo da Madrugada
DUE to unprecedented demand brought on by a host parade (above) is the main event and starts at
BIGGEST FURTHER STUDY FAIR of successful alumni, The Gaiety School of Acting 7.30am.
TODAY
1,000’s of courses has announced a series of new audition dates for its Doubles at Recife Monte Hotel cost €1,295 for four nights based
two-year full-time Actor Training Programme. on two people sharing (www.recifemontehotel.com.br).
This month has seen Gaiety School graduates Eva
Birthistle and Aisling O’Sullivan both nominated for
U Riobamba, Ecuador
If you find yourself in South America but not able to
1.00 pm – 6.00 pm, RDS, Dublin an IFTA award. make it to Brazil, try lovely, diminutive Ecuador.
The Gaiety School of Acting has been training Instead of costumes and parades it throws a
actors for more than 25 years. The two-year full-time nationwide water fight. This year it is next Monday.
Study abroad course takes place from October each year. Tailored The small Andean town of Riobamba is a great
to those who are serious about pursuing acting as a place to stock up on water bombs and get wet as
Conversion courses
Grants career option, the programme prepares participants gangs charge around in trucks drenching anyone
for the challenging and rewarding journey towards outside. A contender to be the next Tomatina.
Seminars becoming a professional actor. Doubles at the Hotel La Estación from €12 a night
For this year’s applications, full time auditions take (www.hotelaestacion.com).
Funding place on the follow dates: Friday, February 17;
Friday, March 16; Friday, April 13; Friday, May 11;
U Jericocoara
Upskilling If you like your partying more intimate, try spending
Friday, June 15 and Friday, July 13. Applications will carnival in one of Brazil’s beach towns, where the
Loans Professional advice be accepted until June 30. vibe is more village-fête-meets-house-party than
www.gaietyschool.com city-wide mayhem, plus there’s the added bonus
that you won’t lose your friends for four days just
Distance learning
Personal statements because you needed the loo. It’s about as far from
the stereotype of lush, tropical Brazil as it gets: a
windy village nestled at the bottom of a gigantic
dune; the streets are paved with sand, power cuts
are frequent and there’s a giant, deserted beach for
Bring this ad for FREE admission or €5 on the door sleeping it off on. It’s also a five-hour bus ride from
Fortaleza on Brazil’s north coast, so it shouldn’t be
too crowded.
Doubles from €59 a night at Jeri Village (www.jerivillage.
com.br).
U Florianópolis
You’d rather kick back in luxury with the beautiful
people? Well, you know all those Brazilian models?
further study fair They’re mainly from the south of Brazil and the
island of Florianópolis is where a lot of them spend
their holidays. Floripa, as it’s known locally, is the
surfing capital of South America, so has plenty of
nightlife, should you feel that way inclined. Nope?
Then stay at Ponta dos Ganchos just up the coast,
#postgradfair
join the
and while everyone’s going nuts in town you can sit
conversation back in the tub with a cerveja.
online. Seven night all-inclusive stay over carnival from €7,589
per person including flights
(www.journeylatinamerica.co.uk)